Oil of Joy
“3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.”
ACT I – SETUP
Sixteen-year-old Caleb sat on the edge of his bed staring at the ceiling. His room was quiet, but his mind was loud.
He used to feel close to God. When he was younger, he prayed easily. He read his Bible because he wanted to. But now high school felt heavy. Expectations were higher. Mistakes felt bigger. And recently, after lying to cover up a bad grade, something inside him felt burned over—like ashes after a fire.
He still went to church. He still bowed his head when others prayed. But when he tried to talk to God alone, his words felt empty.
One Wednesday night, his youth pastor read Isaiah 61:3 aloud.
“To give unto them beauty for ashes, the
No moral points provided.
No reflection questions provided.